# AutoCAD LT vs Designcenter Solid Edge Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Designcenter Solid Edge excels in supporting the entire product development lifecycle, with users appreciating its ability to open and edit models from various formats without the need for conversion. This flexibility is a significant advantage for teams working on complex projects.
- **Users say** that AutoCAD LT is particularly effective for creating precise 2D drawings, highlighting its clean and focused interface. Many find the software easy to learn and use, making it a solid choice for those who prioritize straightforward drafting capabilities.
- **Reviewers mention** that Designcenter Solid Edge offers a robust modeling experience, scoring higher in this area compared to AutoCAD LT. Users have noted that the software's features allow for detailed machinery layouts and custom equipment designs, which are crucial for engineering and manufacturing applications.
- **According to verified reviews** , AutoCAD LT shines in its ease of setup and user-friendly menu, making it simple for new users to transition from older versions. This aspect is particularly beneficial for small businesses looking for a quick and efficient onboarding process.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that while both products have similar star ratings, Designcenter Solid Edge's higher G2 Score reflects greater overall user satisfaction. Users have expressed that it serves as a reliable partner throughout their design processes, enhancing collaboration and productivity.
- **Users report** that Designcenter Solid Edge provides a more comprehensive set of features for visualization and rendering, which can be a game-changer for teams needing to present their designs effectively. In contrast, AutoCAD LT, while strong in 2D drafting, falls short in these advanced capabilities.



| | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 285 | 599 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (52.0% of reviews) | Small-Business (54.2% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $760 every 2 years | Starting at $90.47 Per Month | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### AutoCAD LT

Pros:
- Ease of Use (7 reviews)
- Easy Learning (4 reviews)

Cons:
- Lack of Features (5 reviews)
- 3D Modeling (4 reviews)

### Designcenter Solid Edge

Pros:
- Ease of Use (101 reviews)
- 3D Modeling (64 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Curve (47 reviews)
- Difficult Learning (46 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.6 (244 reviews) | 8.4 (435 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.5 (247 reviews) | 8.3 (475 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.9 (57 reviews) | 8.2 (258 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.6 (37 reviews) | 8.4 (91 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.2 (210 reviews) | 8.2 (405 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.7 (38 reviews) | 8.8 (89 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.3 (240 reviews) | 8.4 (423 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### AutoCAD LT

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: 2 Year Subscription

Price: $760 every 2 years

Description: Ideal for businesses that want consistent long-term pricing.

Key Features:
- Access to the latest software releases
- Enhanced 1-on-1 technical support by phone or chat
- Includes AutoCAD mobile app

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad-lt/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Designcenter Solid Edge

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Designcenter Solid Edge Design and Drafting XaaS

Price: Starting at $90.47 Per Month

Description: Get started quickly with part & assembly design, automated drawings, basic animation and rendering.

Key Features:
- 2D drafting
- Data import and reuse
- Basic 3D part design

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **AutoCAD LT** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.2/10 | 115 |

#### CAD to CAM

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **CAD-CAM Import** | Not enough data | 8.6 (100 reviews) | 
| **CAM Data Exchange** | Not enough data | 8.4 (94 reviews) | 
| **CAD/CAM Compatibility** | Not enough data | 8.4 (95 reviews) | 

#### CNC Programming

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **CNC Workflows** | Not enough data | 7.9 (85 reviews) | 
| **CNC Feature Recognition** | Not enough data | 7.9 (83 reviews) | 
| **Programming Control** | Not enough data | 8.1 (82 reviews) | 

#### Machining

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Job Set-up** | Not enough data | 8.1 (93 reviews) | 
| **Operations** | Not enough data | 8.1 (93 reviews) | 
| **Tooling and Toolpaths** | Not enough data | 8.4 (92 reviews) | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **AutoCAD LT** | 7.9/10 | 151 |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.5/10 | 193 |

#### Design

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | 9.5 (143 reviews) | 8.9 (183 reviews) | 
| **Modeling** | 6.8 (104 reviews) | 9.0 (185 reviews) | 
| **Visualize ** | 7.0 (112 reviews) | 8.7 (179 reviews) | 
| **Rendering** | 5.9 (91 reviews) | 8.1 (171 reviews) | 

#### Edit

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | 8.9 (138 reviews) | 8.5 (176 reviews) | 
| **Push/Pull** | 7.4 (98 reviews) | 8.3 (167 reviews) | 
| **Views** | 7.7 (117 reviews) | 8.6 (176 reviews) | 
| **Grips ** | 8.3 (119 reviews) | 8.4 (167 reviews) | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | 8.7 (128 reviews) | 8.5 (170 reviews) | 
| **Documentation ** | 8.3 (115 reviews) | 8.7 (176 reviews) | 
| **Data Extract** | 8.1 (112 reviews) | 8.3 (170 reviews) | 

### Additive Manufacturing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **AutoCAD LT** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 7.9/10 | 97 |

#### File Support - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **STL Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.8 (86 reviews) | 
| **3MF Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.3 (68 reviews) | 
| **OBJ Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.3 (76 reviews) | 

#### File Editing - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Mesh Repair** | Not enough data | 7.8 (76 reviews) | 
| **File Editing** | Not enough data | 8.5 (80 reviews) | 

#### Software Integrations - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Standalone Slicer** | Not enough data | 7.7 (66 reviews) | 
| **Inetgrated 3D Modeling** | Not enough data | 8.6 (83 reviews) | 

#### Software Type - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cloud-based Platform** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Downloadable Application** | Not enough data | 8.4 (74 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | 6.2 (28 reviews) | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | 6.2 (28 reviews) | 

#### Building Preparation - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Material Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Building Simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Slicing Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Simulation & CAE

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **AutoCAD LT** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.1/10 | 103 |

#### Design

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | 8.7 (98 reviews) | 
| **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | 8.6 (98 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | 8.6 (96 reviews) | 
| **Rendering tools** | Not enough data | 8.0 (95 reviews) | 

#### Tools

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Fluid analysis** | Not enough data | 7.7 (81 reviews) | 
| **Finite element analysis** | Not enough data | 8.0 (87 reviews) | 
| **Multibody dynamics** | Not enough data | 7.8 (83 reviews) | 

#### Work

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Discrete event modeling** | Not enough data | 7.8 (83 reviews) | 
| **Continuous event modeling** | Not enough data | 7.7 (83 reviews) | 
| **Mechanical event simulation** | Not enough data | 7.8 (84 reviews) | 
| **Manufacturing process simulation** | Not enough data | 7.7 (77 reviews) | 
| **Integrate** | Not enough data | 8.0 (84 reviews) | 

#### Environment

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | Not enough data | 8.1 (89 reviews) | 
| **Task** | Not enough data | 8.0 (90 reviews) | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | 7.9 (85 reviews) | 
| **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | 8.6 (92 reviews) | 

### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **AutoCAD LT** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 7.8/10 | 125 |

#### Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | 8.6 (105 reviews) | 
| **Rendering Tools** | Not enough data | 7.7 (94 reviews) | 
| **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | 8.4 (97 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | 8.3 (95 reviews) | 
| **Text Editing Tools** | Not enough data | 7.5 (91 reviews) | 

#### File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Export Files** | Not enough data | 8.1 (96 reviews) | 
| **Import Files** | Not enough data | 8.2 (96 reviews) | 
| **File Interoperability** | Not enough data | 7.8 (99 reviews) | 
| **Backwards compatibility** | Not enough data | 7.3 (91 reviews) | 
| **File size** | Not enough data | 7.4 (100 reviews) | 

#### Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Custom Commands** | Not enough data | 7.8 (91 reviews) | 
| **Custom Scripts** | Not enough data | 7.4 (89 reviews) | 
| **Custom Menus** | Not enough data | 7.6 (90 reviews) | 
| **Custom Interface** | Not enough data | 7.6 (97 reviews) | 

#### Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | Not enough data | 7.8 (94 reviews) | 
| **Task-based interfaces** | Not enough data | 7.9 (91 reviews) | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | 7.7 (91 reviews) | 
| **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | 7.9 (104 reviews) | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)


**Unique to Designcenter Solid Edge (4):** [Additive Manufacturing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing), [Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/computer-aided-manufacturing-cam), [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae), [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | AutoCAD LT | Designcenter Solid Edge | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 52.0% | 54.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 35.4% | 30.4% | 
| **Enterprise** | 12.6% | 15.4% | 

### By Industry

#### AutoCAD LT

- **Architecture & Planning:** 19.6%
- **Construction:** 12.0%
- **Civil Engineering:** 10.9%
- **Design:** 10.2%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 7.6%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 4.4%
- **Industrial Automation:** 3.3%
- **Renewables & Environment:** 2.9%
- **Oil & Energy:** 1.8%
- **Automotive:** 1.5%
- **Other:** 25.8%

#### Designcenter Solid Edge

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 21.4%
- **Automotive:** 12.6%
- **Design:** 9.0%
- **Machinery:** 5.8%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 3.8%
- **Computer Software:** 3.8%
- **Manufacturing:** 3.6%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 3.1%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 2.3%
- **Higher Education:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 32.6%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to AutoCAD LT

- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews)
- [DraftSight](https://www.g2.com/products/draftsight/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (208 reviews)
- [MicroStation](https://www.g2.com/products/microstation/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (413 reviews)
- [Octave BricsCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/octave-bricscad/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (135 reviews)
- [ActCAD BIM](https://www.g2.com/products/actcad-actcad-bim/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (50 reviews)
- [TurboCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/turbocad/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (31 reviews)
- [LibreCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/librecad/reviews) — 3.8/5 stars (25 reviews)
- [QCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/qcad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (13 reviews)
- [nanoCAD Free](https://www.g2.com/products/nanocad-free/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (23 reviews)
- [Shapr3D](https://www.g2.com/products/shapr3d/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (172 reviews)

### Alternatives to Designcenter Solid Edge

- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (200 reviews)
- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews)
- [CATIA](https://www.g2.com/products/catia/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (255 reviews)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1934 reviews)
- [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (191 reviews)
- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews)
- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### AutoCAD LT

- Title: [Is AutoCAD LT free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-autocad-lt-free) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Unless you have an student version, it is not free."
- Title: [What is AutoCAD LT used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-autocad-lt-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "To produce all drawings, documents needed for Electrical Engineering Design for Machines and Electrical panels. "
- Title: [What is LT version of AutoCAD?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-lt-version-of-autocad) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "I use AUTOCAD 2018 LT, 2022 LT also, C3D 2018 and 2022."
- Title: [Would it be possible to create and save symbols in AutoCAD?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/would-it-be-possible-to-create-and-save-symbols-in-autocad) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "yes"
- Title: [What is AutoCAD LT used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/autocad-lt-what-is-autocad-lt-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "2D Drafting and design"

### Designcenter Solid Edge

- Title: [Is Solidworks or Solid Edge better?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-solidworks-or-solid-edge-better) — 4 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Solidworks"
- Title: [Is Solid Edge free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-solid-edge-free) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "No"
- Title: [What is Solid Edge used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-solid-edge-used-for) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "It is used for 3D modeling as well as drafting."
- Title: [What file type does Solid Edge use?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-file-type-does-solid-edge-use) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Solid Edge uses proprietary file formats with specific extensions similar to other 3D CAD systems.  Those are:
.ASM = Assemblies
.PAR = Parts
.PSM = Sheet..."
- Title: [Is Solid Edge good?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-solid-edge-good) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Very Good"

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/autocad-lt-vs-designcenter-solid-edge)